PEOPLE

Edited by Jennifer Davis

Shifts al the Top John Mitchell of Orland Park, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency for the past II four years, has moved to the Illinois Department of Transportation where he will oversee operations of the Chicago expressway system. He' will be replaced by Rex Coble of Loami. Coble, a deputy director at the agency, is now acting director. Barbara Mason retired as director of campaign disclosure for the State Board of Elections. Mason, who started at the state board in 1975, had served in that role since December 1985. Tom Borgsmiller, ¦ one of her assistants, has been named acting director. Kim Knauer, a spokeswoman with the State Board of Education since 1981, is now the agency's division administrator for communications and external relations. She will oversee the publications and graphics units as well as media relations. Gordon Riffel of Kansas is the Illinois State Board of Education's assistant to the superintendent for special education. Riffel, a former Kansas deputy school superintendent and special education director, started in this newly created position February 1. He will be responsible for coordinating the agency's special education efforts. David C. Watkins is the newly appointed deputy director of the adult division at Illinois' Department of Corrections. Watkins has been deputy director of support services since 1991. Robert L. Crites replaces Watkins, leaving the Illinois State Police after 27 years. Garry Kepley replaces retiring Jerry Clampet as state statistician of the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service. This year, for the first time, IASS will collect and edit Illinois' information for the national census of agriculture, published every five years. Additionally, IASS is responsible for weekly weather and crop information and an annual summary of Illinois agriculture. Dave Loveday is back as House Republican Minority Leader Lee Daniels' press secretary. Loveday, who most recently was a spokesman for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, was Daniels' spokesman from 1991 to 1992. He took over that role again last month, replacing Brian Timpone. Timpone will remain on Daniels' press staff. Brad McMillan is Peoria U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood's new district administrative assistant. The Peoria lawyer will oversee the Republican's three district offices in Peoria, Springfield and Jacksonville. He succeeds Mary Alice Erickson, who retired. Larry Faulkner, provost of the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign since 1994, has been named president of the University of Texas at Austin. Faulkner began his University of Illinois career in 1973 and held a variety of faculty and administrative positions over the years. Molly Hall of Springfield has resigned as deputy press/communications secretary for the Illinois Department of Human Services. The former Statehouse radio and TV reporter left the agency last month. She started in October. She also served briefly as spokeswoman for state Comptroller Loleta Didrickson. Media consultant Rick Davis of Springfield was hired by secretary of state candidate Jesse White. Davis, who had been helping comptroller candidate Fred Lebed until he dropped out of the race, will produce radio and TV ads for White. He has served as spokesman for the late state Treasurer Jerome Cosentino, former state Comptroller Roland Burris and former Democratic state Senate President Phil Rock.

MSI trial: Not guilty

James Berger, the highest-ranking state official indicted in the Management Services of Illinois Inc. scandal, was found not guilty. The deputy director of Public Aid on unpaid leave was charged with 16 counts of mail fraud and one count of misapplication of federal funds. Three defendants and the company had been found guilty earlier in connection with a scheme to defraud the state in a contract. Another defendant pleaded guilty.

Chicago Library board head steps down

This is the 125th anniversary of the Chicago Public Library board, a perfect time for "fresh faces and new energy," says longtime board member and President Cindy Pritzker in announcing her resignation.

Pritzker, wife of wealthy hotel owner and congressional candidate Jay Pritzker, has been described as the "heart and soul" of the city's library system. A Chicago Sun-Times editorial recently credited her with "turning what was once a neglected, even pathetic, civic institution into a nationally acclaimed asset." Indeed, Pritzker was the driving force behind Chicago's Harold Washington Library Center. "Thanks to her, the building came in on time and on budget," says Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey.

Pritzker, the board's president since 1989, was first appointed in 1984. She will stay on with the board's nonprofit fund-raising foundation, which she created.

36 / February 1998 Illinois Issues

Question & Answer

GARY J. LAPAILLE

After two terms as Democratic Party chairman for Illinois, Gary LaPaille has decided not to run again. For anything. At least not now.

The former state senator and Democratic House chief of staff spoke with Illinois Issues shortly after the holidays. He reflected on the past, his own future and the future of the party.

What are your future plans? I will continue to work with my business consulting firm, which I've had for almost three years now. And I want to spend more quality time with my young family, who are 6, 4 and 2 years old. I also plan to remain active in national, state and local politics. Just two days ago, Vice President Al Gore asked me to sit on the site selection committee for the 2000 Democratic National Convention. Of course, I was very honored and plan to roll up my sleeves and attack that as soon as the state chairmanship ends. Why did you decide not to run again? In sports and politics, and even in business, there comes a time when you realize you've had a good run. It's good to go out on the upswing and not be carried out in a body bag. So, I've had a great run. And I made this call four years ago when I said two terms was good enough. The average term is 18 months. Most party chairs are either burned out or kicked out after that. That has not happened to me. I can hold my head up high. I am very proud of my accomplishments.

President Bill Clinton with Gary LaPaille

Which are?

I'm very proud of the fact that we carried Illinois twice for President Bill Clinton. And the party's decision, my decision, to have an open [U.S. Senate] primary in 1992 resulted in the historic election of Carol Moseley- Braun. [Braun became the first black woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate]. And also our recent success in regaining control of the House.

Not that we haven't had our down times. We've had some very down times. Like 1994, when the entire state ticket succumbed to the Republican national tidal wave.

Still, in the past, the party chair was just a figurehead. You'd only see him every two years when it was time for slatemaking. I've really made it into a contact sport. I've really traveled the state, especially downstate. I remember missing birthdays of my children to be in southern Illinois.

Your name came up recently as a potential state treasurer candidate. What made you decide not to pursue that race, and what does your political future hold?

I was encouraged to run for treasurer by several Democrats, but I decided it just wasn't the right fit at this time. At age 43, I'd rather continue to zero in on my business. It's a good, thriving business, which allows me to travel with my family when I wish.

As for my future in politics, I wouldn't rule out any future runs for office at any time. It depends on what becomes available. I do plan to remain active in national, state and local Democratic politics and to keep up the network of friends I've built up over the years.

With your national connections as a member of the Democratic National Committee, are you looking more at entering national politics?

Never say never. I am currently active in national Democratic politics in that role and as finance co-chair of the Democratic Governors' Association. That allows me to go into other states and try to elect Democratic governors. I plan to continue in both those party-building roles.

Many have said your last responsibility is producing a unified ticket in the upcoming election. With four contenders

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Illinois Issues February 1998 / 37

Q & A continued....

for governor, do you feel you've done that?

Hey, they ain't going to pin this one on me. I attempted to forge endorsements from the top of the ticket on down, but the response I got from everyone was: Just let them all run.

So, if people say the ticket is not unified or not balanced, don't look at Gary LaPaille to shoulder the burden. I shouldered the 1994 debacle [the Republican sweep nationwide], although that was a national trend and every state was hit. I had to survive an attempt to oust me midterm after that election.

The four candidates running for governor right now are all very strong- willed. They know they only need 25 percent plus one vote to win the primary, and they all have their various scenarios as to how they can accomplish that. Still, maybe in several weeks some reality will start checking in.

You recently stopped short of advising Jim Bums to drop out of the race.

Yes, well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see he was led into the race by House Speaker Michael Madigan. Whether Madigan's support was real or just perceived, he is now supporting Glenn Poshard to labor [unions]. That is significant action, and Burns should look at it.

Speaking of Madigan, what is your relationship with the House speaker now? You were once his chief of staff, but your falling out is widely known.

We live a block apart and I see him from time to time in the neighborhood. I still consider him a friend and one of the best Democratic strategists in Illinois. I was proud to be a part of his team when I was [in the State- house]. I consider him someone who knows how to organize and coalition- build and keep Democrats together. And I believe I've learned and used many of those skills over the years.

Still, if he ever wants my help, I'm just a phone call away.

LaPaille is also president of Capitol Management Group, a Chicago-based business marketing and consulting firm he founded three years ago.

State science-technology panel created

Lt. Gov. Bob Kustra will oversee the new advisory committee designed to help the state better use its technological resources. In a statement announcing the committee, Gov. Jim Edgar said it would help "prepare industries for global competition and help educators, researchers and industrialists anticipate and respond to emerging scientific and environmental trends." The committee replaces the Governor's Science Advisory Committee.

Jack Kahn, president emeritus of the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, will retire as chairman of the GSAC. Alan Schriesheim, director emeritus of the Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago, is chair of the new committee. The members have yet to be appointed.

1998 LINCOLN LAUREATES Six Illinoisans will receive the state's highest honor for individual achievement, the Order of Lincoln Medallion, at ceremonies in Chicago in April. This yearns laureates are: Peter B. Bensinger, former administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. He founded the drug-free workplace concept. Preston Jackson, a world famous sculptor who devotes time training aspiring artists in Chicago, Peoria and elsewhere. Martin E. Marty, author of more than 50 books on religion and an expert commentator on the state of religion in America. Patrick G. Ryan, chairman of Aon Corp., an insurance company. Ryan is also a longtime supporter of Chicago area higher education, health and museum facilities. Gen. John M. Shalikashvili, the first foreign-born American to serve as chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Paul Simon, former U.S. senator, congressman, lieutenant governor, state representative and newspaper editor, who directs the Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. The Lincoln Academy was established 32 years ago to honor Illinois' most distinguished citizens. Past honorees have included Jack Benny, John Chancellor, Paul Harvey, Charlton Heston, Ann Landers, Walter Payton, Ronald Reagan and Mike Royko.

38 / February 1998 Illinois Issues